Hows the Market??

Hi there. I am currently an auto mechanic at a Ford dealership, have been for about 12 years. I am thinking of making the jump to aircraft, but before I attend classes, etc etc, I was wondering how the job market is? Nationally, I mean. Thanks for any advice you can give.

From what I have seen; unless you really love aircraft, just stay with the auto mechanic. You go through so much extra trouble because of the nature of aviation and often get paid less. Plus you have a lot less choices of where you live, since you have to pretty much live close to some sort of airport. My friend who is an ASE with a dealership earns about five bucks per hour more and he works inside all of the time. So, unless you just have to be around aircraft, I would stay away.

Do not go into aviation as a mechanic. I wasted 12 years chasing the dream-my fault. Don't be mislead by the incomes of guys with 30 years in the field, they are on "A" scale which you will never see. Aviation schools are a buisness for profit.

The only reason to go into aviation is to travel cheap. This was possible before 911 when the airlines were doing pretty well. Now, all the major airlines have hundreds if not thousands of mechanics furloughed who have recall rights before you have any chance of employment. I have 8 years seniority with United and it will likely be at least 10 to 20 years before enough people retire or die before I am recalled. ( if the union dosen't give away recall rights in a future contract). By that point, I will be retired myself. The reason is the airlines are ousourcing everything maintenance related possible.

Even if you do somehow make it to an airline be prepared for a difficult work schedule. Everthing is union and everything revolves around "seniority". Seniority determines everything from how much you make, your schedule, days off, when you can take vacation and on and on. Without many years of seniority you will work midnights, holidays, weekends, rotating schedules and otherwise miserable hours. You will be a number on a list, trated accordingly and always under threat of a layoff. There is no job security.

Your options other than airlines are now mainly third party maintenance facilitys. Yes you will find a job at any of them because they have a revolving door when it comes to staffing. Here you will be slave labor. Low wages, mandatory overtime, exposure to chemicals, poor management and so on.

Corporate and general aviation are other options. Same income problem though. You can make more money shoveling dirt than working on small aircraft. Corporate? Jobs are few and far between--Better know the big guy well, like married to his daughter for a job. Seriously, pick another trade

I have 29 years in aviation. 5 + in the Air Force; I have been working for AA over 23 years. Everyone I know with any sense is looking for a way OUT. I agree with Bob Nemec (above). Do ANYTHING else at this point. Airline jobs are no good today. Go back to school, get a degree in business, finance or the arts.
Good luck!

I have a second interview with Union Pacific coming up (operations management) and I wanted to hear some opinions about seperating from the Air Force. I have been in almost 8 years as a sheet metal mechanic. Although I do not mind the job, I came in motivated to finish school, then get commissioned. That is nearly impossible to do at this time. So, I've decided to venture out and see what else is available. Money isn't everything, and the military isn't too bad, but my goal was to get a degree and use it! Any opinions??

If you can stand it at all I would stay in for another 12 years and then take the retirement. You could spend that time working on your Masters. If you think about it, if you retire at 38 and live until you are 68 which nowadays is pretty conservative thats 30 years of retirement you can get for doing nothing. 30 years x 12 months=360 months, say you get 2000 after taxes not assuming future pay raises its still $720,000! I would say that if I had to do it all over again, I would just heavily invest my earnings into something that would provide even more income when I got out and just say to hell with working at all!
But if you really hate it that much, I have noticed a lot more jobs out there for sheetmetal guys than for regular A and P's. I think a thing that might hurt you it that it seems like employers still want you to have the Powerplant rating and your AFSC doesn't qualify to test for it. As far as the railroad job, I have no clue about it. Sounds like it might be cool!

Stay at the dealership!!! Changing to an aircraft mechainc would be going the wrong way! We are always joking around that the car mechanics are making more money than we do, and don't have the liability we do! (if a car breaks down you just pull over, planes crash!). There is very little incentive to work for an airline right now. You don't even get as much free travel as you used too. Planes are too full, no seats for the lower priority freebies! Benefits are going down. And most are outsourcing jobs to save just a couple pennys on the dollar. Very fickle industry

Fxck aviation Period.

Tom Joad in Southfield, Michigan said: Hi there. I am currently an auto mechanic at a Ford dealership, have been for about 12 years. I am thinking of making the jump to aircraft, but before I attend classes, etc etc, I was wondering how the job market is? Nationally, I mean. Thanks for any advice you can give.

I'm 25 years in aviation.STAY IN AUTO MECHANICS!Layoffs,salary reductions,constant turnovwers,reductions in benefits,shift changes,low pay for high skill.I would take it back if I could.I regret so much going into aviation maintenace.labor rates to perform service center work on multi-milloion dollar jet aircraft are lower than labor rates at your dealership I guarantee.tempo services are beginning to dominate the industry,re salaries and benefits decreasing,and fuel prices are killing off corporate flight departments.the best advice you could get is to avoid aviation altogether!

if you really want a job in the avaition field, then go for it. It is all up to you on how you like it, i did 6 years as a helicopter mech in the army and now im a sheetmetal mech for a growing company in huntsville dealing with a lot of prototype mods on uh-60m blackhawks. again it is all on how you make it cause i love it

You don't necessarily have to go to work for an airline to work on an airplane. There are plenty of FAA certificated Repair Stations out there. They pay well and are very stable right now. Like '13 year veteran' said about working for an airline; "Benefits are going down. And most are outsourcing jobs to save just a couple pennys on the dollar."

While I like to call it contract maintenance, the reality is that these repair stations are highly competent and skilled workers. My whom possess A&P ratings too.

That's right...if you're a contractor on one of the repair stations the pay package is from $19.00 to $28.00 hr. but if you go direct, they'll start you at $13.00 to $15.00 hr. with probably a .30 cents yearly raise. A&P license is not really a requirement for the sheetmetal(which pays more than A&P) or interior positions so they don't get affected by the recent experience clause. Most of them don't have A&P license! There's a lot of jobs overseas especially for those who have prior military aircraft experience. They get paid really good! With free housing too.

I have been in aviation from the time i was born. life is what you make of it. I have a family of four and aviation has made that possible for me. If I had to work for a living it would kill me. I think I just enjoy what I do. It's all about what you whant out of life. If aviation mechanics is what you whant then make it happen. It's all up to you?

cat in Ypsilanti, Michigan said: If I had to work for a living it would kill me.

So your in the aviation industry, but don't work? I guess your one of those union guys huh lol j/k

Joey in Houston, Texas said: So your in the aviation industry, but don't work? I guess your one of those union guys huh lol j/k

no i put 30 years in aviation, now i'm retired and enjoying life. jose martinez

my husband has over 20 years as an airframe and powerplant mechanic. he's 53 and just finished a one year contract in Iraq and the pay was fantastic plus the tax incentives. i can tell you this, he's always said that if it wasn't for him going into this field, we wouldn't have the opportunity we have now (especially in this economy). he's signing up for another year over there. lol

louis in Madison, Alabama said: if you really want a job in the avaition field, then go for it. It is all up to you on how you like it, i did 6 years as a helicopter mech in the army and now im a sheetmetal mech for a growing company in huntsville dealing with a lot of prototype mods on uh-60m blackhawks. again it is all on how you make it cause i love it

It your "passion" is aviation then go for it. But remember "passion" will not pay the mortgage.

northerngirl in Warren, Michigan said: my husband has over 20 years as an airframe and powerplant mechanic. he's 53 and just finished a one year contract in Iraq and the pay was fantastic plus the tax incentives. i can tell you this, he's always said that if it wasn't for him going into this field, we wouldn't have the opportunity we have now (especially in this economy). he's signing up for another year over there. lol

Iraq is great if you don't mind being shot at.

I am currently a helo repairer for the CH-47 Chinook. I love aviation. I am currently in Iraq and looking forward to starting a civillian job as an aircraft mechanic when I get back. Sucks the military rating doesnt mean you automaticaly get an A&P. You still have to go and test out on stuff and take a few additional classes if you want the associates degree to go along. Aviation is a passion field. I wouldnt recommend it if your heart isn't into it. Flying is what to stay away from. I spent thousands of dollars to get my pilots license in school and ended up working at UPS with a couple pilots who were furloughed (sp). I would recommend staying away from the giants and get with a repair shop. Military experience is gold in the industry. If you are young I would recommend doing the 6 years and get all the free/paid training you can on the governments dime. Not to mention they have programs that pay for your A&P testing and schooling. Depending on where your from the guard offers up to 20k for them in ohio when I enlisted and active is 40k I believe. Choice is ultimately up to you. This is just from my experiences so far.

go for it as long as you love it man.

I would stay as far away from this industry as you can! I have 20 years with a major airline and now with the merger I maybe out on the street! The joke in the industry is "WHEN, NOT IF" you get laid off get ready to go to truck driving school! I have started my own business and bought a Peterbilt just in case (NO JOKE)! I am so sick of it I cant see straight!

Best Wishes,

PS. I still work graveyard and weekends by the way!

I'm so thankful that my husband got into this industry. He's a jet mechanic (lear, kingair, etc)and is now overseas in afghanistan, last year iraq, and is making fantastic money and considering that there's no jobs out there, especially in the detroit metro area, he considers himself very fortunate that he had this trade. It's a tremendous sacrifice for us having to be seperated and for him to be in that environment, but that's why the pay is what it is. So, in my opinion, this trade is well worth it.

northerngirl in Warren, Michigan said: my husband has over 20 years as an airframe and powerplant mechanic. he's 53 and just finished a one year contract in Iraq and the pay was fantastic plus the tax incentives. i can tell you this, he's always said that if it wasn't for him going into this field, we wouldn't have the opportunity we have now (especially in this economy). he's signing up for another year over there. lol

I am interested in working in Iraq. Could u give me details about the contractor he worked for? I am an A&P mechanic for 10 years

check out the company URS online. go into the division for aviation. or use a search engine and using the keywords "overseas jobs a and p mechanic" and you'll find listings of companies who can connect you to the jobs overseas, like Aerotek. My husband worked for Lear Siegler Inc in Iraq and now L-3 Communications, he's over in Afghanistan. You'll find that once you get over there, it's all about "networking" to make a career of it. Hope this helps. Best of luck.

What employment companies are the best to work with? How does the process work?

Aerotek and JS Firm have a lot of listings. Or go directly to the company themselves, "URS" - (Lear Siegler Inc); L-3 Communications (Vertex) supposedly hiring 500 - 600 by the end of year (that's been heard); Dyncor; and, Evergreen Aviation. My husband just gave me these names. Also, he just stated, regarding the comment about "free housing", he actually laughed about that because it is "free", but it's "four walls and you could be in a tent" with the bathrooms quite a good walk away. 70% of the "great pay" is danger and hardship pay, the other is regular pay. The living conditions are not for the "faint at heart". Also to get the Federal Tax Exempt of $94,100 you must be out of country for 330 days in any 12 month period. Hope this helps.

If knew what I know now about being an A+P mechanic...... I would have been a nurse, fireman, ditch digger, donut hole maker....

David_J in Takoma, Washington said: Iraq is great if you don't mind being shot at.

you are stupid helicopter mechanics in iraq especially civilians are well protected they more than likely wont hear a gun shot the entire time they are over there dont bash crap you dont know about

im in high scchool lookin at vo-tech to become a pilot whats the job market for piolets just need some insight email me at (mbakid5@yahoo.com)oh and for those of you wonderin what vo-tech is it is me goin to school for 3 classes a day and the other half i go to a college and take classes for my desired career path? thanks for readin XD

Be a pilot if you can afford it and that's what you would love to do. I would love life making only $20,000 a year as an airplane pilot... and that's about what most pilots can expect to make the first few years after they get their license. Speaking of which, it costs upwards of $60,000 for the 4+ months of school it will take for you to get your commercial multi-engine pilot license. That's not including the college degree that most pilots are expected to have. If I could do it over, I would max out all my credit cards, and take out whatever loans I could, that I knew I would never be able to pay back. Cuz bankruptcy can't take back your pilots license... best I know. Good luck to you, I hope it works out better for you than myself.

PS. Obviously, your best bet at becoming a pilot is joining the Air Force. It's not easy, but unless you come from a family of wealth it's a lot easier than the alternative.

northerngirl in Warren, Michigan said: my husband has over 20 years as an airframe and powerplant mechanic. he's 53 and just finished a one year contract in Iraq and the pay was fantastic plus the tax incentives. i can tell you this, he's always said that if it wasn't for him going into this field, we wouldn't have the opportunity we have now (especially in this economy). he's signing up for another year over there. lol

what company did he go with. I am really hoping to go over as and aircraft electrician/avionics mech but cannot seem to find the right company. If you know anything please let me know!

jessa in Johnstown, Pennsylvania said: what company did he go with. I am really hoping to go over as and aircraft electrician/avionics mech but cannot seem to find the right company. If you know anything please let me know!

There are lots of jobs overseas right now, just search jsfirm.com and filter "international". I was making 175k a year working 40 hours a week in Iraq. Afghanistan has a bunch of opportunities with AAR, Dyncorp, L3 Vertex, M7, evergreen, the list goes on an on. I know dudes over there that will retire at the age of 30. Dont work for the airlines, check out my blog www.myaandplicense.com/blog-3/ and make some real money contracting. Start applying now, it takes awhile to get hired. Also, call the companies and keep bothering them about hiring you. Tell them you are ready to go! Good luck!

There are jobs if you have experiance. Even with an a&p! I finished a school for my A&P 8months ago and still no work. For brand new mechanic is hard to find jobs.They are few and far between. Your a&p doesnt guarnty a job. You dont have to go to a expensive school for it either. Check ypur community colleges. Thats what i did. I only paid about 13thousnd for it. Have fun looking for a place to get in for the experiance.

Good luck!!

I was there as a mechanic for 15 months. It is not that bad. Is it as good as sitting in your living room? Of course not. You work hard, learn a lot and get paid good. Is there a potential chance that something could happen? Yes. You are working in a combat zone. Remember you are in aviation there is a potential chance for anything happening.